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Buying Agricultural Land vs. Residential Property in Italy: Restrictions for Non-EU Citizens
Buying a farmhouse in Italy often means buying more than a house. The property may include olive groves, vineyards, woodland, grazing land, gardens, agricultural plots, old barns, storage buildings, access roads or land described simply as “surrounding grounds.” For a foreign buyer, the distinction between residential property and agricultural land can change the legal…
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Purchasing Lake Como Real Estate: Riparian Rights, Public Land Encroachments and Title Clearances
Buying property on Lake Como can be an exceptional decision. A waterfront apartment, historic villa, lakeside garden, private landing stage, boathouse, jetty or boat mooring can add real value to a home and make the property stand out in an international market. Those same features can create legal questions that do not arise in…
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Buying a Historic or Listed Property in Tuscany: Constraints, Bureaucratic Nightmares and Soprintendenza Approvals
Buying a historic home in Tuscany can be an extraordinary decision. A stone farmhouse in the Chianti hills, a period villa near Lucca, a palazzo apartment in Florence, a former mill outside Siena or a rural estate in Val d’Orcia may offer architectural character, privacy and a connection with the landscape that modern property…
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Buying a Historic Property in Italy: Legal Risks Foreign Buyers Should Check Before Making an Offer
Buying a historic property in Italy can be an exceptional opportunity. A palazzo in a city centre, a period apartment with original features, a country estate, a stone house, a villa or a former convent may offer character that cannot be replicated in a new building. It can also involve restrictions, documents and renovation…
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Can You Buy a Property in Italy Without a Habitation Certificate?
A foreign buyer can sometimes buy property in Italy even where a habitation certificate, commonly known as agibilità, is missing or unclear. However, this should never be treated as a minor paperwork issue. The absence of an agibilità certificate may affect the buyer’s understanding of the property’s legal status, permitted use, planning history, practical…